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F134 Or Dauntless V6

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by KevH, May 6, 2022.

  1. May 6, 2022
    KevH

    KevH New Member

    Contra Costa...
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    I'm a complete newb and am interesting in buying my first CJ5 to tinker with. I spent a good portion of my youth tinkering with old motorcycles and I understand the limitations of older machinery.

    For someone starting out looking for a 1960's CJ5 would I be better off with F134 or a 225?

    I'm looking for something simple for me to work on and find parts for.
     
  2. May 6, 2022
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
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    Wow, have you opened a can of worms here.. My vote is for the 225, but I am biased of course..
     
  3. May 6, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It depends mainly on the kind of driving you want to do and the traffic situation in your area. The F-head is simpler to work on but it's not really a highway vehicle, the 225 is the obviously better choice for that.
     
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  4. May 6, 2022
    GillaFunk

    GillaFunk I'm the Dude, so thats what you call me. 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Graeagle Calif...
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    NoOb here as well. Well, mostly.
    I’m up the hill hill from you in the sierras.

    Completely rebuilt F head, even with upgraded Pertronix ignition, 2 barrel Weber adjustable carb, and an over drive, The F head is really not very utilitarian for modern driving.

    Some guys like to keep the vehicle stock. I did. But I could never do much with it. To give you an example, I drove my jeep from Plumas County down to almost Chico, on Highway 49. Coming down the hill it was fine, but going back up, you’re looking at no more than 30 to 35 mph. On he flat, I can do 60. Hit ANY grade at all and you’re backing up traffic.

    Do the V6. And get a sniper EFI kit. Spend the money or your Jeep just won’t perform in any way.
     
  5. May 6, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    What do you want from the Jeep? Why 60s?
     
  6. May 6, 2022
    59cj5

    59cj5 Member

    Central WI
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    If you like old and simple and just want to cruise around local, the F-Head is great. It’s what I have and love it for what it is. If I wanted to run on the freeway and travel long distance I’d probably buy a newish jeep.
     
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  7. May 6, 2022
    KevH

    KevH New Member

    Contra Costa...
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    I'm in California where vehicles pre-1975 are SMOG exempt so I don't have to deal with the scam that is the state's emissions nonsense. My daily driver is a 2017 F-150 and my wife has a solid mom car. This would be a third vehicle for fun and I'd rather it be SMOG-exempt.

    The older I get (I'm 38) the more realistic I think I've become with my expectations. I've bought vehicles in the past with plans of long trips or going on adventures. To date, something in life has always come up and none of those have panned out.

    Realistically this will be a fun vehicle for driving around town. It may at some point see a light trail, but that likely wouldn't be for quite some time (I have a four year old and two year old). I want my daughters to grow up knowing how to do basic car maintenance, know how the "older stuff" works, how to drive a manual transmission, etc. I grew up around old cars and I'd like them to do the same. I enjoy tinkering and finding old parts (I guess I'm a glutten for punishment). I'm not a mechanic don't have any advanced skills, but if it is pretty simple I can usually figure it out.

    Lastly, the old CJ5's just look cool to me. Which is why I'm here. If I wanted a TJ I probably wouldn't be on this forum.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  8. May 6, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    YMMV.
    I want al the style of an old jeep, but the reliability of a YJ. I live in a city and need to stop short, I need PS and PB. I need enough reliable HP to keep up with traffic. I have a 48CJ2A with a FI 4.3 chevy and a sm420 transmission. 35" tires and 4 wheel disk brakes.

    Its everything I have ever wanted in a jeep, ever.

    I had a 77 cj5 w a 304, a 47 cj2a with an F head 134 too. I drove them both everywhere. I also had some experience with a YJ. I also had a 225 in my 48

    My present jeep in the best ever. IMO, I would never ever drive a stock cj of any year aside from an early to mid 80s cj.

    Other people may disagree, but this is my opinion.
     
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  9. May 6, 2022
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    The Dauntless oddfire v6 is a beautiful engine. With more than enough power for a vintage short wheel base cj5. And the sound is one of a kind! With 4:88 gears it's a match made in Heaven. So my vote is find a 1966-1971 cj5 with the factory v6.
     
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  10. May 6, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Same here. I had a CJ2A with a L head, loved it, but really didn't drive it anywhere besides the store. I realized I needed a V6 and built one for my 3B and never have wanted to go back. Go with the V6 is my advice. Contra Costa-as in east bay? If so, next thing you will want is to be able to road it to the Sierra.
     
  11. May 6, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    F-head is absolutely fine for local 'fun' use, and perfectly suited for crawling trails that don't need to be blasted through.

    It is NOT capable of keeping up with traffic on modern highways. (But neither is my '88 YJ!)

    I've never had one, but kinda would like a V6 someday, for the extra grunt. Meanwhile, love my F-head.
     
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  12. May 6, 2022
    cj2atruck

    cj2atruck Member

    Spokane, WA
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    I've owned a lot of jeeps and I've done a lot of motor swaps, both Buick V6 and Chevy V8 and I even had a cj5 with a stock odd fire 225 V6, and I think the Buick V6 is the best option for these little jeeps.

    On my current old jeep project, a 1947 cj2a truck conversion, I used a 1979 Buick 231 v6, an sm420 transmission and an overdrive, and can maintain 65 mph without a problem. I even drove it 1000 miles back from Moab a couple of years ago when it started snowing and flat towing was not possible.

    However, I've installed 2 fuel injection systems in two different jeeps, and have not been happy with the results. Instead, I use an Edelbrock performer carb and HEI ignition. Tuned correctly, this is a great carb, and performs like a dream on our annual trips to My Moab. Crawls up, down and around all the trails we love in Moab, and never stumbles or dies.

    Your best option is to find a Jeep that already has a V6, a 4 speed transmission and an overdrive, as you will save a ton of money over buying all the parts to convert everything.
     
  13. May 7, 2022
    jbjeeps

    jbjeeps Member 2022 Sponsor

    The Idaho side...
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    Welcome to the forum. Old Jeeps are a blast to own and drive.

    Our flock includes Jeeps from the 40's, 50's and '60's with L head, F head and Dauntless engines, and we enjoy them all. No show Jeeps here, just crusty old survivors. If you're looking for something to tinker on and drive around town, at town speed limits, then any of them will do.

    Spend the money to buy one that is complete and seems to be in good shape: starts, runs, shifts, steers and stops. Your next one can be a basket case to restore. Yes, there will probably be more than one. ;)

    Folks who know old Jeeps will tell you that before you drive it anywhere, learn how to evaluate and repair the steering and brake systems and make sure both those systems are in top condition before you and your family go for a drive. No matter how shiny the paint is, chances are pretty good the steering and brakes will need work.

    You said CJ5. But don't rule out a CJ6. The extra 20 inches of wheelbase means 20 extra inches of cargo space. Put a seat back there with seat belts for the two young ones and there's still room for a cooler, etc. Plus, IMO, the longer wheelbase offers a little better ride and stability at higher speeds.

    Then, buy an open car hauler trailer to put behind your F150 and a good set of tie down straps. Wake up early on Saturday morning, strap your Jeep on the trailer, put the family in the truck and get out of town for the day or the weekend! Find some dirt roads in the desert or the mountains, cruise around, get dusty, and have a picnic lunch. And again, we're not talking about highway speeds, so any engine you choose will do.

    Best wishes on your Jeep hunt.
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2022
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  14. May 7, 2022
    KevH

    KevH New Member

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    Yes, I'm in the SF East Bay.
     
  15. May 7, 2022
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I bought a 66 V6 to use to restore my 64 Tuxedo Park F 134, I had already bought an F 134 Military surplus motor for my 64 so I gave the V 6 motor and trans to a friend. I kind of have second thoughts and wish I had used the V 6. My F 134 is great for cruising the trails and going to town, but in todays world it is too slow for street driving. The speed limit was 55 when I built my Jeep, it is now 65 mph and I can only go 55 comfortably in my F 134, so I am second guessing myself. My cabin is in a private club with 11,000 acers of hunting land, so it is perfect for trail riding on our and forest viewing on our property. I would say like everyone else the V 6 is better in todays world.
     
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  16. May 7, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Both of my kids (now 25 & 18) grew up riding around in the Colorado mountains in my CJ. Memories to last a lifetime!
    Get those kids out on the trails in the fresh air and sunshine, you won't regret it :)
     
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  17. May 7, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I'll add this "Food for thought" to the equation. I do fully agree with today's traffic, unless you live in a rural area, requires a V6. Part of the equation that doesn't get mentioned is gear ratio. The V6 Jeeps generally have 3.73 gears so combine that with the stronger engine and yeah it's much quicker and goes faster. A V6 with 4.88 gears isn't as quick on takeoff so the initial difference between the 2 engines in 1st or 2nd gear isn't as noticeable.
     
  18. May 7, 2022
    jbjeeps

    jbjeeps Member 2022 Sponsor

    The Idaho side...
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    I agree with all those who are recommending the V6 that it is an excellent engine, good power and awesome sound.

    But since you said you want an old Jeep to “tinker” with and drive “around town”, the V6 isn’t necessary. By all means, if you find a good one, buy it, but you don’t need it for what you want to do.

    We frequently drive our 1953 M38A1 with F head and our 1963 Tuxedo Park with F head around town. They both do just as well in the 25-45 mph range as our 1970 CJ5 with Dauntless V6, it just takes them a bit longer to get up to those speeds. The F head Jeeps draw lots of attention and have helped start many pleasant conversations. Plus our M38A1, with 30" BFG's and BDS springs, has been our primary trail Jeep for many years and does fine on the gravel forest roads we enjoy cruising.

    With the right combination of engine and gears these short wheel based Jeeps can travel at modern highway speeds. But they weren’t made for it, and IMHO, it’s not fun for very long.

    Our F head Jeeps have traveled thousands of miles at interstate speeds over the past 20 years and taken us to some awesome places. . . on a trailer. :)
     
  19. May 7, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Really depends on what you want from a Jeep. The CJ-5 appeared in 1954 as the civilian version of the military M38A1, introduced for Korean war use in 1952. Kaiser Corp. bought the rights and tooling for the Buick 225 V6 and offered it in the CJs starting 1966, and through 1971. There are lots of Jeeps out there that came from the factory with the 134 cid 4-cylinder and have been repowered with various engines and transmissions. If you search on this site, you will find pages and pages of drive train swap discussion. Novak has much of this info in one place, free to read and think about. GM engines are by far the most popular, though there are many other valid choices. https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/engines/swap-guides/chevy-buick-gm/

    This is the early forum, and mentioning the following is off-topic here. However, I would point out that in 1970, AMC acquired the Jeep brand. For 1972, they upgraded the CJ-5 with improved steering, brakes, engines, etc. These were basically all the things that Jeepers were doing (and still do) to these earlier Jeeps. AMC had their own excellent 6-cylinder engines, and discontinued the Jeep V6 that year. AMC sold the V6 back to GM, who subsequently used it in many passenger cars.

    The '72-75 models are all highway capable, and if you want a Jeep to putt around in, these Jeeps with an inline six will have all the mods mentioned above already done. If you want more power, many of these came with a V8.

    Even through the complete redesign in 1976 to the end of production in 1983, the CJ-5 remained basically unchanged in outward appearance. Many owners are very happy with their CJ-5s produced after 1971, and only an enthusiast would be able to identify these later Jeeps by year.
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2022
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  20. May 7, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Even in Rural areas anymore. An F-134 would be fine on the gravel roads around here but all the highways have 60mph speed limits and sometimes can't be avoided.
     
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